'ever-growing' originates from the combination of 'ever,' meaning 'always,' and 'growing,' the present participle of 'grow,' meaning 'to increase in size.'

'ever-growing' evolved from the Old English word 'growan,' which meant 'to flourish or increase,' combined with 'ever,' which has been used since Middle English to denote 'always' or 'continuously.'

Initially, 'grow' meant 'to flourish or increase,' and 'ever' meant 'always.' The combination 'ever-growing' has maintained the meaning of continuous increase.